Saturn’s rings, via the Cassini spacecraft. The region shown in this image spans about 10,000 kilometers (about 6,000 miles). Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Colorado

The European Space Agency posted this image on its Flickr page this week (May 5, 2014). It shows a section of Saturn’s beautiful rings, first observed in the year 1610 by early telescopes … and more recently observed close-up by the Cassini spacecraft, which has been orbiting Saturn, weaving in and among its moons, since 2004.

This image shows a portion of Saturn C-ring. The image is closest to Saturn on the left, with the B-ring beginning just right of center.

The variation in the color of the rings arises from the differences in their composition. Turquoise-hued rings contain particles of nearly pure water ice, while reddish rings contain ice particles with more contaminants.

Read more at ESA’s Flickr page.

Via Jennifer Welch (@MicrobeLover on Twitter)

Here’s one of the latest views of Saturn by the Cassini spacecraft. Cassini acquired the data – and Val Klavans processed it into this composite image May 4, 2014. More details on Flickr

Bottom line: The Cassini spacecraft captured this image of multiple colors within the rings of Saturn. Turquoise-hued rings of Saturn contain particles of nearly pure water ice, while reddish rings contain ice particles with more contaminants.

Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.